Saxon Albums Ranked

Saxon are an English heavy metal band formed in 1977 in Barnsley. As leaders of the new wave of British heavy metal (NWOBHM), they had eight UK Top 40 albums in the 1980s including four UK Top 10 albums and two Top 5 albums. They had numerous singles in the UK Singles Chart and chart success all over Europe and Japan, as well as success in the United States. During the 1980s, Saxon established themselves among Europe’s most successful metal acts. The band tours regularly and have sold more than 15 million albums worldwide. They have also been cited as a major influence or inspiration by notable bands, including Mötley Crüe, Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax, Pantera, Testament, Dokken, Skid Row, Dream Theater, Exodus, Overkill, King Diamond and Celtic Frost. Here are all of Saxon albums ranked.

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10. Power & The Glory 

“Power & the Glory” is a badly produced album with some great tunes, featuring gorgeous guitar and vocal harmonies which were mostly ruined by the poor production. For some this record signalled the slow demise of Saxon, though for me they still did pretty well throughout the 80s, and even through the early 90s, highlights include “Midas Touch”, “Eagle Has Landed”, “Nightmare” and the epic title track.”

9. Call To Arms 

“2011’s “Call to Arms” subsumes different facets of NWOBHM legends Saxon, blending riff-based metal tracks with more climactic tunes, like the mid-paced title track, for instance, bringing a more fruitful album than their previous one, “Into the Labyrinth”. The tracklist shows one of the most compelling selections of the band in the last decades, with highlights like “When Doomsday Comes (Hybrid Theory)”, “No Rest for the Wicked”, “Surviving Against the Odds”, “Mists of Avalon”, and the aforementioned title track, which also has an orchestrated version, included at the end of the disc.”

8. Dogs Of War 

“Saxon keep their trademark fist-pumping, speeding down the highway sound that they are known for, while adding just a bit of that cleaner and sometimes more elaborate song structure that can put off some listeners. One thing is for sure is that Saxon got the balance right on some albums (“Power & the Glory”,”Innocence Is No Excuse”), and not so much with others (“Crusader”& late 80’s).
To my ears, “Dogs of War” belongs to the former group.”

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7. Killing Ground 

“Among the greatest Saxon albums, Killing Ground stands out with everything, but mostly with fresh spirit, updated production, it really sounds heavy and even for 2001 standards the sound is up to date. The war march (check the lyrics) of the title-track is one of the greatest Saxon songs ever as is Deeds of Glory with the same topic, but we have some unexpected gems, besides the hits. King Crimson’s iconic Court of the Crimson King is delivered in a great metallic rendition, but keeping the gentleness of the original.”

6. The Eagle Has Landed 

“A brilliant live album, with some of Saxons best songs. Infact, Saxon are one of those bands whose songs are even better live than they are in the studio. This is especially true for 747 (Strangers in the Night) – the studio version is awesome of course, but here it sounds about ten times heavier! Awesome!”

5. Lionheart 

“Probably the best Saxon album I’ve heard. Their metal by numbers, down to earth, has never sounded better produced more melodic yet heavy with some superb riffing and drumming. Biff’s generally weak voice compensated for by his undeniable charisma has never sounded better, he sings within his limits and occasionally surprises by going places I didn’t know he could go.”

4. Crusader 

“This is one of Saxon’s better albums. That isn’t high praise as Saxon to me explain why many british metal bands don’t make it worldwide. An awful production, dumb lyrics, mediocre guitarists who think a making a twanging noise on the guitar = a solo … on and on about Roooocckkk…”

3. Wheels Of Steel 

“Possibly Saxon’s most important offering this album was their sophomore release, many times the most important album in a band’s lifetime. There are many excellent tracks on this album, none less so than the title track “Wheels of Steel”. “(747) Strangers In The Night” is a crowd favorite as well along with “Motorcycle Man” and “Machine Gun”.

2. Denim And Leather 

“My favourite Saxon album from the classic era (I’m not discussing Killing Ground and that period of theirs). Denim and Leather is lyrically among the most metal albums ever. It is not cheesy, it’s only got a genuine attitude that’s so characteristic of traditional heavy metal.”

1. Strong Arm Of The Law 

“Saxon had two goes in the banner NWOBHM year of 1980, and on their second try, they perfected their signature style of biker trad. I can best describe the style of Saxon in this era as simple, but very effective, situated in the sleazier, punk-adjacent, gritty side of the NWOBHM alongside early Iron Maiden, with more kinship with Motorhead than Sabbath or Purple.”